Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9)
Blessed are the peacemakers – Those who strive to prevent contention, strife, and war; who use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, and to prevent lawsuits and hostilities in families and neighborhoods. Every man may do something of this; and no man is more like God than he who does it. There ought not to be unlawful and officious interference in that which is none of our business; but without any danger of acquiring this character, every man has many opportunities of reconciling opposing parties. Friends, neighbors, people of influence, lawyers, physicians, ministers of the gospel, may do much to promote peace. And it should be taken in hand in the beginning. “The beginning of strife,” says Solomon, “is like the letting out of water.” (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
Sola Dei Gloria 
Anyone else cringe and feel dreadful when someone praying “in the name of Jesus” is talking about war, blood and death?
Cal, i felt sick when hearing it. 😦
How incredibly sad…and disgusting. I’m not sure if it’s possible to more blatantly contradict Jesus’ teaching on being peacemakers than what we see in this video.This line from Albert Barnes is definitely on point, as this video footage is concerned: “There ought not to be unlawful and officious interference in that which is none of our business.” Furthermore, Iran (I assume that’s the nation Hagee is talking about) should not be the enemy of God’s people who live in America or Britain. Yet, even if we could say that Iran fills this role, we also come face to face with these very powerful words of Jesus:
“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Unless I’ve missed something in the news, how is Hagee so confident that the US WILL go to war? He says this twice, at the 1:33 mark and again at the 1:55 mark. The way he prayed this “prayer,” one would think he was a close presidential advisor equipped with key inside information that most don’t yet have. His use of the phrase “against the enemies of righteousness” implies that the whole of the United States is righteous and outsiders are not. The angels of heaven even allegedly go before the US army, and Britain’s as well (2:00 mark).
My hope is that blatant displays of disobedience to God’s word like this will cause even more people to question and turn away from Christian Zionist theology.
Adam, Hagee has been relentlessly lobbying members of congress for a preemptive strike against Iran for some time. Maybe he believes his “dream” will come true if the ‘right’ person is sitting in the white house next year.
From: John Hagee’s Christians United for Israel Conference Mixes End-Times Prophecies With Lobbying. (by JewsOnFirst.org, July 24, 2008)
That was almost 4 years ago. He’s never stopped….
From: Inside CUFI’s 2011 Washington “Summit” (Our eyewitness report on Christians United For Israel’s annual Washington conference; JewsOnFirst.org, July 29, 2011)
The entire report from the 2011 conference is well worth reading.
The gentleman called it “apostate Christianity” and he is so right.
I saw information contained at link (Jerusalem Post) yesterday …
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=250249
My concern is that at some point young Christian believers will be among the “American soldiers in Israel” thinking they are doing God service. In fact these things are political and secular in nature and have no relation to true Christianity. False teaching has permeated the church world and is doing major damage to many. Thanks PJ for continuing to put this “up front”. Hoping all is well with you and yours.
O my Cathy! thank you for the link! I had not heard about this at all…
Adam, you may want to read at the link Cathy provided. This could be one reason Hagee is growing confident in his hope for war..
Yes Cathy, Christian zionism IS apostate Christianity!
Violence and the Gospel
http://judahslion.blogspot.com/2012/01/violence-and-gospel-gen.html
Rick, an outstanding message!!
Folks, please follow the link and read Rick’s newest post, Violence and the Gospel.
[…] John Hagee with Benny Hinn: Praying For War in Jesus Name […]
It is just sad. What continues to sadden me is that a bunch of people continue to follow him. Its just sad.
The problem is that deceived people don’t know they are deceived!
By way of contrast:
Can’t vouch for the theology of ‘Auld lang syne’ but just replace it with ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven’.
I don’t know very much about either of these men, Benny Hinn or John Hagee. My wife’s Uncle, Ben Tagud has preached in Hagee’s church in San Antonio, TX. I got to talk with John once at Charles De Gaulle Airport when we ran into each other around the boarding areas of our respective departure lounges. I talked to him about my mission in Africa and asked if he remembered my wife’s Uncle.
It seemed to me his wife was the one who was annoyed with the “interruption” I brought about stopping and talking with John?
In any event, I am decidedly taken back to some verses in Scripture that upholds the right of every government to have a standing army.
There is a portion of Job 36 that comes to mind to post. Then, of course, there is a portion of Psalm 46. And finally there is that part of Romans, Romans 13 I believe that warns us about disobedience to the “laws” so much so we might be in jeopardy of losing our life by execution?
Here are the Scriptures that give a confidence that with government rule comes the power to put to death a person or take up arms against an enemy combating army to suppress their aggression against us:
Job 36:5 “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.
Job 36:6 He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right.
Job 36:7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
Job 36:8 And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction,
Job 36:9 then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
Job 36:10 He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity.
Job 36:11 If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.
Job 36:12 But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
Psa 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
Psa 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Rom 13:5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Rom 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
At Job 36:12 we see the consequences for not repenting and living serving God.
At Psalm 46:9 we see “how” God causes wars to cease. By the use of an Army who, by the poetic words of the Psalmst: “… he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.”
And, finally, at Romans 13:4, a government official or officials is employed to inflict the wrath of God upon those who use bad conduct against members of their society.
I am a Peace Maker. But I am also a realist and I hold close to my heart these verses too:
Psa 120:1 A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
Psa 120:2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
Psa 120:3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
Psa 120:4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Psa 120:5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Psa 120:6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
Psa 120:7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
I know that this doesn’t address directly the main point of this article, PJ. But hopefully it will bring some insights into the nature of both war and peace as is established by these Scriptures too:
Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
Ecc 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Michael, don’t let us confuse the right that God has given to government to judge lawbreakers with the responsibility of the Christian to be peacemakers trying to reconcile man to God via the gospel. He will ultimately judge whether those governments/person in charge have used those authority judiciously. Are you saying there is a biblical foundation for Hagee an Hinn asking God to go before American and British forces to attack another country? I think this is the most important question to be answered. Should other countries be able to pray that prayer against America?
O bite your tongue! Don’t you know america is exceptional & “special” in God’s eyes? After all, we are a ‘Christian’ nation. 🙂
Of course im only kidding but sadly there are Christians today who really believe that.
Without addressing any of the Scripture posted, I’ll alter Tertullian’s famous question,
What hath Washington to do with Jerusalem?
We’re the people of Heavenly Jerusalem, a kingdom not of this world. Yes, other countries may go off killing each other; it is is the way of the world. So why should Christians be involved in promulgating such violence? They are not fulfilling the Gospel. How can you preach peace while cutting men down?
Michael, I would certainly agree with you regarding governments being “authorized” by God to deploy military forces as they see fit for defense and national interest purposes. BUT, my big problem with this is that I see NO suggestion ANYWHERE in scripture that the church OR its leadership should become entangled in such affairs of state. Certainly, as the church, we are to pray for the safety of our soldiers, BUT we are also to pray for peace. Above all, we are to pray for our enemies as difficult as that is to accomplish. For Christians, warfare is something engaged in with great regret and something to be avoided if at all possible. And the purpose of warfare in God’s economy is to enforce some degree of order in the world and punish unrighteousness in a general sense. But warfare between nations is NEVER for the purpose of *generating* righteousness. Only the Gospel and the indwelling power of Christ through the Holy Spirit can achieve that. In reality, this whole thing is being driven by a private interpretation of certain select prophetic scriptures coupled with a passion to attempt to use fleshly power to bring these scriptures to fulfillment in a way that matches up with that private interpretation. I am convinced that that private interpretation is a WRONG interpretation and that those pursuing it are committing apostasy and end up being just what the Islamists accuse them of being which is “crusaders”, a “Christian” counterpart to Al Quaeda, to be blunt, “Christian” terrorists. One thing that is very clear in scripture is that God is perfectly capable of managing the world. He doesn’t need our help. He instructs us as Christians to be bearers of the Good News, NOTHING MORE. If we serve in the military, that is a civil role, NOT a religious one. It is the passionate confusion of the civil realm with the religious realm that is so destructive about these things. John Hagee engages in this stuff all the time. As for Benny Hinn, his tendency toward heresy is legendary, so his involvement in this does not surprise me at all.
The government does have a right to go to war. But we are not of any earthly government and God is not on any side. The distinction between the Bride of Christ and any earthly government must never be blurred. Tp pray that God would help us kill people is antithetical to any NEW TESTAMENT teaching.
America is not “us”. John Hagee believes Jews do not need Jesus to be saved. He is an heretic.
okay, how many of you people AGAINST the war have any idea whats ACTUALLY happening in the middle east right now? Iran is not just Is Israel’s enemy, but ours as well. The bible is clear YES Christians are to love everyone including our enemies but the problems in Israel go back to the OLD testament. Anyone know HOW God gave the Israelite their land to being with? The new testament is the new covenant Christ established when he was here on earth BUT the bible does say exactly what will happen to any country that turns its back on Israel as well.
The Middle East is plagued with violence and terror, the very things our country stands against. Christian Zionists don’t WANT war, we just see it coming because we are alert to the signs of the times. For non Christians, i don’t expect you to understand what im referring to. The book of Revelation and the book of Daniel in the bible make clear of a holy war in which multiple nations will attack Israel. We Christian ZIONISTS, as people are labeling us, don’t WANT this war, certainly not in our life time or those of our kids but were willing to step up to the plate if God asks it of us. that’s how it is, plain and simple. we don’t want war, we want Israel and the USA safe. that’s all.
I don’t want this war, my husband is military and i have a two year old and another on the way. you think i WANT this war to happen? oh heck no! i pray every day for peace in the world for my family and the future of my kids. Christians aren’t looking to pick a fight, were trying to protect our brother’s the Jews, the Israeli, from WWIII. If Iran wants to pick a fight (which PERSONALLY i think has been happening quite a bit lately) that’s their choice, but Christians STANDING UP rather then backing down FROM THE FIGHT isn’t wrong.
Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, he didn’t tell us to stand by while our kids are being beaten, he didn’t teach us to betray our brothers or sisters to save our skins, in fact just the opposite. Christs message was one of love, perfect love, how many of us can say were perfect? People i talk to like to bring up the ten commandments when i talk to them about the war. Esp. the one that says “thou shalt not kill” its true, a very good rule to live by, you’re not suppose to go out looking for blood. We christian “Zionists” don’t want blood. we don’t, despite what people think or choose to believe. Do i agree with John Hagee out right praying FOR us to go to war, actually no, i don’t, I think it would have been APPROPRIATE for him to pray that IF we go to war that God be with our troops and with our allies. John Hagee believes WWIII is coming as do I, the signs of the times are everywhere, this war WILL happen there’s not getting around that. IRAN is out to pick a fight, not Christians, not the Israeli, were just standing ready TO FIGHT when the time comes. i pride myself on being called an “extreme christian” or a “Zionist” as people would classify me but you’d never know it if you actually met me. I believe the bible, that’s where i stand, whatever happens in the middle east, its not just the will of people making all this turmoil, there are spiritual forces at work, good and evil.
I want peace, i want all of this to stop, i don’t want to have to worry my husband wont come home from a mission. As a christian i UNDERSTAND why this is happening but it doesnt mean i have to like it, but i will continue to pray every day that WHEN this war happens that God be with our troops and our allies. John Hagee, I think, WORDED his prayer wrong, but the prayer for God’s help was right none the less. He prayed for our president, our troops, our allies, that was correct.
jessica, believe it or not, most if not all who engage here are fairly knowledgeable about what has been happening in the middle east. At least a couple folks have spent extensive time in the area. As far as being against a war, the real problem are Christians (like Hagee) PRAYING for a war to begin! Not only praying for war but lobbying elected officials in Washington (for years) for a preemptive strike against Iran. That is not the Spirit of Christ nor is it biblical.
I couldn’t help but notice you never mentioned any concern for the Church in Iran…our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. John Hagee never mentions them either in his zeal in praying for war.
Christian Zionism (as it is called) is an ideology which is not indicative of Biblical Christianity, for it lacks a genuine love or concern for brothers and sisters in Christ within the Arab world (its as though those part’s of the body of Christ do not even exist, are invisible, or worse yet, expendable), and a zeal to see the lost (in these same geographical areas) come to Christ.
There are many other aspects of this movement which are contrary to the great commission.
I’d like to recommend a post from 2008: John Hagee: Christian Zionism’s Cause or Effect?
Jessica, I’ll be frank:
What you advocate is absolutely logical, it is acting completely out of necessity and most folks would say that’s a reasonable position. However, by doing so you’ve single-handedly abandoned the Gospel of Messiah Jesus.
As a Christian we are to be willing to suffer, be persecuted and yes, even be slaughtered because violence is not the way of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is righteousness, peace and joy. I’m not a pacifist, but anytime I would act with violence, it is a sad state of affairs. Even if I save a man’s life in doing so.
Why does a Christian standing up instead of backing down mean violence?
“Christs message was one of love, perfect love, how many of us can say were perfect?”
Yet Christ says still “Be perfect, as my Father in Heaven is perfect”. The problem with christian-Zionism is it plots out a course of war and imperfection. If Christ is the perfect representation of God, why would He ask you to take the sword? He already told us what would happen if we do so.
Iran is not out to pick a fight, I’d ask you to read thoroughly into the history of Persia/Iran, especially the Cold War. Please read about the Shah, USA and corporate involvement. It is pretty easy to see, without all sorts of ideological backdrops, why Iran would hate the USA and Iran. This is without the covering of Shiite Islam and anti-Semitic sentiment.
Tertullian, an early latin Christian, said “When Christ disarmed Peter, he unbuckled every soldier”. I agree.
Jessica,
I wanted to make an observation for your sake in light of your zeal for present day Israel as a Christian Zionist.
Here is the revelation of the mystery of what is going to happen to all nations and peoples and kindreds and tribes. To the one, it will end with prosperity and a life full of pleasantness. With the other, it will be rather harsh on this side of eternity and very terrible on the other side! These two things will coexist simultaneously in the world until this present created heavens and earth are no more.
God is at work. Jesus Christ is at work. The Holy Spirit is at work. All three have specific things they are doing. They are working together to bring this age to a close.
First, let me touch on what I already brought up in my first comments above from the book of Job, chapter 36. Weigh carefully what Elihu is saying there as God’s spokeman:
Job 36:10 He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity.
Job 36:11 If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.
Job 36:12 But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
The question I answer is this: “Who opens their ears to instruction? Who commands that they return from iniquity?”
The Apostle Peter had written this as the beginning of his epistle known as 1 Peter and it is “He”, the Holy Spirit, Peter has written that has been given the work of sanctification, “opening” the ears of the deaf and giving commands that they return from iniquity. We also see something similar written by Luke in Acts 1.
1Pe 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Act 1:2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Do you see the work of the Holy Spirit in those two verses, 1 Peter 1:2 and Acts 1:2?
What is God Our Heavenly Father doing while the Holy Spirit is leading us into a life of holiness and sanctification, then?
We see what He is doing when we read this that Paul wrote about found in the book of Ephesians, here:
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Eph 1:8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
Eph 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Eph 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
God Our Heavenly Father is fulfilling His plans for this creation by uniting all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth! There ain’t nothing man or angel, whether Elect or fallen, can do to stop God from finishing what He started!
Of course, reprobate humans, devoid of the Spirit, whose names are not written down in the Book of Life, or, Satan and his minions like this reality, this plan of the ages! Their days are numbered. Their time in the sun having fun inspiring rebellion against God and against mankind is just about up. Their day of destruction is near!
Consider these two verses if you don’t believe me that God has appointed a time for Satan and his followers a day of utter destruction in eternal damnation:
Heb 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Psa 143:12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
Finally, what is Jesus up to? What is it that He is doing for God and His people now and into the future to bring this world to its final end?
Consider these following Scriptures and with them it is my encouragement to you to step aside from this thing, “Christian Zionism”, and get on board with God, the Holy Spirit, God, Our Heavenly Father, Who, by His Grace, has called us out of darkness to be one with His Eternal Glory in Christ and of course, get on Jesus’ band wagon as He transforms your lowly life to be like His glorious Life as is indicated, here:
Php 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Php 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Php 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
God has given the transforming power and authority to Jesus Christ to accomplish two things for Him. One, He will change us, His people, transforming us into His Holy image and likeness as a member of His Spiritual Body; and, two, He will cause all things in heaven and earth, Saints, sinners, Angels and demons to be subjected to God Our Heavenly Father, that He might be all in all:
1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.
1Co 15:28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
While this movement Christian Zionism sounds like a wise plan for those who are pro Israel, I am afraid it falls into one of the categories Paul writes about here:
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Col 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
Col 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Col 2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Col 2:14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Col 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
Col 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Col 2:18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,
Col 2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Col 2:20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations–
Col 2:21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
Col 2:22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)–according to human precepts and teachings?
Col 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Jessica, I hope this is not too overwhelming for you, what I have written to you today?
That video was somewhat a mishmash if info
When was the video if Benny Hinn and John Hagee- it leaves the impression that he’s praying for a war to outbreak that hasn’t happened-if it was recent and he used the term war against unrighteousness I think he is taking on more than the Bible talks about as Jesus’ DBR dealt with unrighteousness.
Hi Grant
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1810563684001309912#
the video is 4 years old and JH is speaking of the impending (at that time) Iraq war. The whole video is worth watching to give insight into JH’s thinking. He says the Church could be raptured in months but 4 years later we still appear to be here (unless I’ve missed something) 🙂
[…] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). PJ Miller well points out the excellent commentary on this verse by Albert Barnes (in 1834): Those who strive to prevent […]
It’s really scary that Hagee and the leaders influenced by him (i.e. Bachmann, McCain, Perry, etc.) are promoting a pre-emptive attack on Iran.
The Iran government is on the side of Palestinians but it has not attacked any country in centuries. (Except Iraq, but Iraq attacked Iran first with US funding and weapons!).
Iran’s nuclear capabilities are greatly exaggerated but even the head of Israel’s intelligence agency says that a nuclear Iran doesn’t necessarily pose an existential threat to Israel.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/29/israeli-spy-chief-downplays-iranian-nuke-threat
Israel has somewhere between 200-300 nuclear missiles (the exact figure is not known because Israel does not participate in the NPT) and is quite capable of defending itself.
Furthermore a US war with Iran would be disastrous with our current economic situation. I guess we could borrow more money from China but they will most likely side with Iran.
There is no logical reason to attack Iran at this time or the near future. But a lot of folks believe it is our duty to God to do so! Plain and simple, Hagee is the wizard of a Death Cult!
The war between Israel, Iran, and the United States has no place within the Body of Christ. Our kingdom is not of this world, so let the world go to war and behave in conflict with each other. Our is the kingdom of God which is dedicated to the redemption of sinners. And those sinners are Iranian, Israeli, American, Russian, and every single man made country around the world.
Once we lose sight of Whose we are and to which kingdom we belong, we inevitably lose sight of the will of God.
Does it ever occur to anyone that the destruction of America just might be in the will of God? Oh, I forgot, America is God’s darling even though it was created in violence and murders millions of babies. Even if America was against abortion or gay marriage etc., it would still not exist within the kingdom of God. We are not of this world.
Amen Rick!
RxY,
you asked me: ” Are you saying there is a biblical foundation for Hagee an Hinn asking God to go before American and British forces to attack another country?”(sic)
My answer, “no”.
George,
I quite agree with you.
I would make clear my responsibility to both the Heavenly Kingdom I am now conjoined to through Christ having already been born again; and my responsibility in the civil realm to that form of government I am under. In my case, as in yours and most likely everyone making comments in here, it is to obey the laws of the United States. Federally I am to pay taxes to the United States Treasury and obey this form of government civilly. With that I am also to obey the laws of the State of California specifically, civilly, because I also live in California. And, ironically, as a member of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, I have a duty to obey the Tribal laws of my Reservation when on my Reservation. Others in here, of course, may live in another state within the United States so there is no requirement for them to obey the laws of the State of California unless they are in California and so on. PJ lives in another state. Others, even, may be posting comments from another country? If so, they are obligated to obey the laws of that country.
Here’s my place of duty and responsibility civilly when it comes to my relationship to the United States, the State of California, my Reservation or when visiting any other State of the United States or any foreign country as a born again, spirit filled believer with blood purchased residency and citizenship in Heaven:
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I have several levels of duty in prayer as all Christians do. One, I am to pray for President Obama. Two, I am to pray for Governor Brown of California. Three, when on my Reservation I am to pray for the Chairperson of my Tribe. I am also to pray for the Board of Supervisors of the county I reside in. Because I live outside the city limits of all the cities in my county, I pray for my Christian brethren who live within the city limits of anyone of the cities inside the county that I reside in that they, too, would pray in like manner.
I am not trying to toot a horn here with regard to my praying. It is just the way the Holy Spirit has brought me along as I have entered into the discipleship in Christ that I was called into when God saved me from myself, this world and the god of this world back in 1975.
My point above in the earlier comment was to offer a perspective about civil government and God’s authority.
We might have covered this already and most likely we have in here, in any event, you have to admit that both Jesus and Paul submitted their lives to some fairly ungodly governments during their lifetimes!
During the Vietnam war era the draft was instituted and every young male of legal age was legally required to sign up for the draft so as to be assigned a draft number. If drafted we would be directed to report to a boot camp for training in combat. I signed up for the draft even though I was so full of fear back then! Fortunately for me the number I was assigned was never chosen and shortly afterwards, anyway, the war ended with a draw or with a defeat depending on who you wanted to believe.
Having been to Israel and talked with young Israelis when there, I can say some have done their best to stay out of the army. Both male and female in Israel are required to serve in the Israeli army.
That Christian leaders would involve themselves in the sort of things these two men, Benny Hinn and John Hagee are involving themselves in is shameful. To that I quite agree.
I want to make clear my position on the Israeli government’s right to defend their people from foreign combatants or insurrectionists or terrorists. They have a right to do so by Godly Authority in Christ. All governments have this right by Godly Authority in Christ.
Do they have a right to go beyond the Word of God? No.
Does anyone, Saint or sinner, have a right to do so? No.
Will God forgive those who repent? Yes, if it is a Godly repentance bearing the fruit of it.
I leave off with these Words of wisdom Paul touches on from the book Romans when it comes to our duties as Christian believers and Jews, which, in my view, both John Hagee and Benny Hinn are quite out of alignment with which their public positions and that video clip where they are praying reveals:
Rom 11:13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
Rom 11:14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Rom 11:15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
Rom 11:16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
Rom 11:18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
Rom 11:19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
Rom 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Rom 11:22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Rom 11:25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Rom 11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
Rom 11:27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Rom 11:28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom 11:30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
I’m just a random reader who stumbled upon this site but I wanted to say thanks Michael for all the verses you posted. You took a lot of time in your replies and they really helped me.
theres a war ?
Jessica,
I essentially learned only one thing from my 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, and that is the sad fact that it is only the innocent who suffer and die. Children, elderly, the maimed and the widows all eventually become victims of war. It is hardly ever those whom benefit from war or those whom instigate its bloody soulless act that die or suffer loss. And it doesn’t matter which side of the conflict one happens to find themselves, the innocent perish.
Many of us on the front lines soon learned that our government was not interested in victory and as a result we fought for each other. Soldiers are the most unfortunate victims of war because in their minds they are fighting a just cause while struggling with the reality of sending strangers to hell. So I applaud you Jessica for standing up for your husband and will earnestly remember to pray for him and others like him who must face the horror of duty to their country.
If your husband is right with God, he is where he is supposed to be. He himself is not responsible for the lies of self serving men and I would be proud of him for serving his country, protecting his family and hopefully witnessing for Jesus Christ. That is a very tough walk for the most faithful of men.
It is an honor to speak briefly with you Jessica, but unfortunately I cannot endorse the actions and words of John Hagee or Benny Hinn who behave very much like the petro-chemical companies, the oil industry and a host of corporate presidents down through history whom dismiss the indignity of death in favor of their pocketbook because they seek this conflict for advantage. The desire of Hagee, Hinn and others is to push the will of God towards Armageddon in the hope that their blessed rapture shall come and remove their selfish hearts away from their fear of tribulation.
I Samuel 4 is a serious example of what happens when man tries to act for God without His blessing and I should also endeavor to pray for the souls of those whom promote war to satisfy their hearts. The Christian Zionist movement also is sadly caught up in deception and I must also pray for the good people whom have been misled by the ministers responsible for its existence.
As I wrote on another post, Zion will not truly come until Jesus Christ returns and gathers His people and puts them in the Holy land to be with Him (Ezekiel 37). Only those whom have redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ will be there. Whether one is a Muslim or Jew will have nothing to do with who are God’s elect. But regrettably that won’t happen until after World war III, the anti-Christ and the great tribulation.
Remember that the devil does not learn at the feet of men, he teaches them. Most do not read the Bible and of the many who do, they tend to believe only what appeals to them based upon what other men have taught them rather than what the Bible actually says.
You see, the devil knows the bible very well and he knows that God is going to allow him to rule the world through his false Christ. But in order to seduce the world into believing that he is god, he knows that he must create a counterfeit Zion. Therefore, all of this insane sword rattling, threats and turmoil are designed to bring about this false kingdom here on earth. The revolutions in countries like Egypt and Libya among many others are planned events. Economic failures and social unrests are also a part of the design and eventually all of the pieces will be in place and the beginning of sorrows shall come.
Your right Jessica, bad times are ahead but don’t allow the works of men to cause you or your family to become victims of a spiritual war for truth. The loss of souls is far more horrible than defeat in battle. Modern Israel is a godless nation that hates Jesus Christ and will in the end put the anti-Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. But don’t believe me or anyone else. Read the Word of God fully and completely for yourself and family trusting that God’s spirit will lead you to the full truth.
As it is written in Amos 8:11 – “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD!”
Please consider Jessica that many of us are so busy telling God what we need, what we want, what we think or what is right that we never take to time actually HEAR Him. We seldom sit down and wait on Him, or are we patient enough to hear. Sadly, we so concerned with ourselves that if we don’t like what God says, we simply change its meaning or ignore it all together until we can live with a religion we like.
This is the famine God is talking about, when we cannot hear. When we cannot trust His word or embrace its truth in love. So I’m praying Jessica that you will ignore the writings of men, their opinions, their scholarship, their positions and their notable claims and simply listen to God. Amen.
On a political level, we could argue the merits of a pre-emptive strike against Iranian (or North Korean) Nuclear efforts till the cows come home (as the saying goes). But the real question here is WHAT CHRISTIANS AND CLERGY SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR. Once we get beyond that, the argument goes in all directions and Christians will be in disagreement. But when we address the real question, the Bible is pretty clear that we should *ALWAYS* be praying for things like PEACE, and RECONCILIATION, and the SAFETY OF OUR BRETHREN, and the ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. To pray otherwise is pretty clearly heresy and apostasy. Nothing divides the Church of Christ more than things like Dominionism and “Christian” Zionism that confuse religious and civil and inject politics into the Church. And no other topic is addressed more clearly in the scriptures than that of sowing division in the Church by imposing the “laws of men” on the believers. There are a LOT of things going on in the world that the Church has absolutely no business sticking its collective nose into. And when it does, it will bring a curse from God upon those involved. Once again, the Church’s role is to preach and teach the Gospel of Christ, NOT to get entangled in the temporal affairs of this world. In fact, the purpose of PROPHECY is to warn us AGAINST that, not to inspire us toward it. Entangling the Church in the affairs of this world is clearly the work of the FALSE PROPHETS. As citizens, we have to make often painful choices in the political realm. But as Christians, we are to be ONE in UNITY as we PRAY for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are to leave our politics at the door (probably of our house as we leave rather than of our church as we enter).
Excellent George!
Reading that reminded me why God hates the work of the Nicolaitans: Rev 2:6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
NICO=conquer
LAITANS=people
Some people just don’t have anything better to do than to muddy the waters of Grace, Mercy and Peace in Truth. In the end, though, there is no sidestepping Truth! 🙂
The long prophesied crucifixion of Christ was [is] at the core of God’s plan of salvation. No one at the time did more to bring this prophecy to fulfillment than did Judas Iscariot, the outwardly faithful disciple of Jesus. One has to wonder in our day as to how many are playing the role of Judas in attempting to hasten the second coming of our Lord? Back then, it was Peter and the other disciples that were actually horrified at what was to come. Should we as faithful disciples today be looking on the second coming with fear and awe rather than injecting our flesh in an attempt to manipulate the plan of God to our expectations? Could attempts to facilitate the plan of God with human effort put us in the very shoes of Judas Iscariot? Just wondering …